Rand Paul May Have A Tough Opponent In Lindsey Graham

Although South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has not yet made a formal announcement to run for president, he has already started to distance himself from Sen. Rand Paul. In interviews and private fundraisers, Graham has already portrayed Paul as unwilling to protect America from its enemies. Graham aides have even conveyed that Graham intends to position himself as a contrast to Paul's foreign policy views, especially when it comes to Paul's more isolationist views. Of the strategy, Graham said, "It's nothing personal at all. My problem with Rand Paul is foreign policy. He's a libertarian and I come from a more traditional Republican perspective." Graham also described Paul by saying "in many ways is to the left of Barack Obama." Paul has declined to comment on his relationship with Graham as Graham had launched similar tactics against Paul's father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Jesse Benton, a former Paul campaign manager who is now helping to lead a super PAC that will be supporting his candidacy, said that “Punching down third-tier candidates doesn’t often make a lot of sense."

Yet, some of Paul's advisers question whether or not the attacks will intensify. There is already a TV ad running against Paul that is overseen by Rick Reed, a veteran Republican operative who had worked for Graham. On Thursday, Paul's campaign had sent a cease-and-desist letter to TV stations, asking them to take down the ad they call deceptive. Graham said he had nothing to do with the ads. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Graham said any Republican candidate would have made a better Iran deal than Obama, "Except maybe Rand Paul." Graham said he will make his final decision regarding a presidential campaign in late May.